Amazing weather, warm and humid, 20°C or more. Out from sunny Princetown where the snow gates look a bit silly. And down to the muddy track to bend round by the prison. Over the 11 arches and up to the leat. (There cannot be many Grade II listed sewerage aqueducts.) And then a real treat, up under the walls to the American and French memorials - very poignant and good to see they are well maintained. Back down to the leat to pop out on the road and up. To find fields full of wonderful thistles and absolutely covered with Painted Lady butterflies - what a sight. Over the road and down to the lovely leat confluence for a nice lunch with just enough breeze to keep the beasts at bay. A drop down to the Cowsic and the Isle of Mona took us to the Soul's Immortal stones. Very hard to decipher, one inscription is SWEET POESY FAIR FANCY’S CHILD, THY SMILES IMPARADISE THE WILD and another THE SOUL’S IMMORTAL, THEN BE BRAVE, NOR SEEK THE COWARD LIFE TO SAVE, BUT HAIL THE LIFE BEYOND THE GRAVE (according to Dartefacts). Back to the leat and out along to cross the Blackbrook to Bachelor's, where lots of work is taking place, and a very warm climb back into Princetown.
A wonderful walk on a very close day.
And on the way home Queen Elizabeth cooling her bilges in the Sound - who can blame her.